Devotees throng the religious fair that is organised at Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district every year on this day.
Bhadarvi Poonam is celebrated as the incarnation day of Goddess Amba. Devotees throng the religious fair that is organised at Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district every year on this day. They undertake padyatra (foot journey) to this holy temple to invite Mataji for Aso Navratri. They invite the goddess to play garba and ask her to bless them on this occasion.
Some even link the padyatra to science and health. It is known that during monsoon, our digestive system slows down. A long walk, sometimes extending till days and the fresh air on the way to the temple helps normalise and revitalise the sluggish metabolism. That is why devotees walk their way to Ambaji.
Pradip Patel, a devotee, says, “On this occasion, worshippers dedicate dhaja (flag) to Mataji. Everybody prays to the goddess to grant them life for one more year so that they can be part of such an occasion the next year. It is believed that goddess Amba fulfils wishes of everyone on this day. So, devotees specially reach the temple on this occasion to offer the goddess her dues after she has fulfilled their mannat.
Pranesh, another Amba devotee, said, “I have been visiting Ambaji for the last 26 years. But I’m happier this year as everything was very perfect. Even though it was monsoon, everything was neat and clean. Despite the fear of terror everywhere, security net was also up-to-date.”
Vijay, another devotee said, “This occasion is significant for every Hindu. Aarasuri Sangh held a special five-day fair to celebrate Bhadarvi Poonam. Devotees worshipped the deity and a musical band made the atmosphere festive.”
Pradip Patel further says, “In 1979, BBC reporter Mark Tully visited Ambaji and he was awestruck with people’s faith and devotion. He showed the photograph in office. In 2006, Time magazine described the padyatra as ‘the biggest religious-fair-on-foot over the earth’.
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